Chapter 7
Jolene
Walking into the dressing room at the Aubergine Affair, a chuckle escapes me, drawing Bellamie and Starla’s attention. I mutter, “I’m really here.” Then I raise my voice, “I’m so glad we all made it to the auction.”
Bellamie, Starla, and I share a moment of excitement, then start getting ready.
Helping Bellamie zip up her auction dress, I say, “Thank you so much for finding a babysitter for me.”
“We wouldn’t have accepted the invitations without your encouragement. The least I could do was make sure you got your turn on–oh my gosh, I almost forgot the goodie bags I made.”
“You didn’t have to do that, Bellamie,” Starla says.
Grabbing the small, red organza bags from her purse, Bellamie sets the special one for Jefferson, the emcee, to the side and hands the others to Starla and me.
“I wanted to. They’re survival kits, really, full of blister Band-Aids, an assortment of headache pills, gum, safety pins–those sorts of things. ”
“Thank you,” we say at the same time.
I’m checking out the goodies she included in our bags when my phone rings. “Oh no, it’s the babysitter.” Did I celebrate being here too soon?
“Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out,” Bellamie assures me.
The ringing continues. I can’t make myself take the call.
“Want me to get it for you?” Bellamie asks.
“Yes, I’m such a terrible mom. I just want one evening to myself.”
Starla laughs. “You sound like a seasoned mother already.”
Bellamie takes the call, easily sorting out where Jane’s woobie might be. “It’s in my car. She’s on her way to pick it up.”
“Sacred blankets, so much to keep track of. What would I do without you?”
“You wouldn’t lose woobies in my backseat.”
A knock on the dressing room door is followed by Laz, the owner of the Aubergine Affair, asking, “Can I come in? I have some exciting news to share.”
Starla tugs her dress up. “Yep, we’re all decent.”
“Great news, ladies!” He enters and flashes the program at us.
Bellamie takes the shiny cardstock from him and gasps.
“Hot off the presses. Molly is on her way, and Roxy is bringing a dress that should fit her.”
The three of us are too confused or stunned to react. Roxy was in the first Christmas Cherry Auction and still lives in the area. She’s friends with everyone so it doesn’t surprise me she could find a dress for Molly at a moment’s notice.
“That’s what you wanted, right?” Laz asks.
Starla and I jump up and down, squealing in excitement.
“Oh my gosh, really?” The ponderous tone in Bellamie’s voice makes me worry that she can’t get Krampus off her mind and is looking for a way out of the auction. I’d almost forgotten about her situation.
“Yeah, after you contacted us, we looked into it and long story short, her invite must have gotten lost.”
While he continues, I’m watching Bellamie’s wheels turn. We can’t let her back out. Being in the auction is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“Does this mean she can take my place?” Bellamie’s question verifies my concern.
“She’s not taking anyone’s place. We added her.” Laz tips the edge of the program down so he can point to the names.
I have to convince her to stay. I step close. “Don’t back out.”
Laz is confused. “Yeah, don’t back out. We’re reprinting the programs. This was the first one, I grabbed it off the copier to show you because I thought you’d be excited.”
“We are,” I say.
“Bellamie?” Laz asks.
“Can I have a minute?”
“If you’re backing out, we’ll have to reprint. I need to know right away.” He checks his phone.
Starla ushers him out of the room, then she and I team up on Bellamie, determined to support her the way she supports us.
“What if this is a sign?” Bellamie asks.
A sign. That gives me an idea. I take the program from her and hold it up. “It is a sign. Read it.”
She stares blankly so I start at the top, pointing to my name. “Jolene, that’s me.”
Pointing to Starla, I read her name. Then sliding my finger back and forth under Bellamie’s name, I state slowly, “Bellamie, that’s you.”
“I know, but–”
“And then, Molly.” I move my finger down. “There are four of us now. It’s a sign. You helped make sure she was included, the same way as you made sure I was. Now we’re going to return the favor.”
When she doesn’t shake free from her indecision, Starla says, “Dating’s a crapshoot, Bellamie. You don’t even know if Krampus will show up on Sunday.”
“Or why he won’t tell you his name.” I step toward the door, ready to wrap this up the second she shows a sign of agreement.
Starla gives her a hug. “Ready to give the auction a chance?”
“Yes.” Bellamie’s answer is weak, but sufficient.
“She’s in, Laz,” I call through the open door.
“Oh shoot.” Bellamie snaps back to life. “I have to meet the babysitter for the woobie handoff.”
I’m so grateful for a friend like her, and only have a tiny bit of worry that she’ll use the woobie handoff as a chance to sneak away.
Laz comes in after Bellamie exits. "One last detail. Have you decided on whether to announce that you have a kid or not?"
"Let's do it—save me from having an awkward conversation afterward.”
"You're sure? Some men—"
"At this point, all I'm counting on is the auction setting me up for a mind-blowing first sexual experience. I just got a lifelong commitment thrust on me. I don't want to push that on anyone else who's not ready."
"Good point." Starla touches up her lipstick. "Skip right to the guys who will accept a stepdaughter as part of a happily ever after."
Smiling warmly at her, I add, "And avoid a mood-killing conversation."
Laz rubs his chin. "One solid bidder, that's all it takes."
Does he not understand the allure of a reverse harem? "Right."
Molly shows up, and Laz leaves us alone to get her ready.
Before long, my name is being called from the stage. I take my place under the lights. All I can think about is that I belong here. It's my time to shine.
The crowd hushes, a sea of eager bidders listening intently as Jefferson introduces me.
My reality comes crashing back down with the mention of me having a two-year-old. It was the right choice to have it declared up front. Thankfully, the smattering of applause and catcalls boosts my confidence that I'll get bid on.
Jefferson continues, "I'm going to turn this over to the auctioneer, and let's see who starts the bidding."
Letting my true spirit shine, I strut across the stage, channeling every ounce of my adventurous vibe, even if I now pack sippy cups for my adventures.
Bids take off. "Fifty thousand… one hundred!" My heart soars. I'm lost in the rush, the dream unfolding, eyes drifting over the crowd without landing. Numbers blur—half a mil? A million? Doesn't matter. This is my spotlight.
As the dollar amounts continue upward, the number of bidders drops.
One of the remaining bidders is in the front.
His crisp shirt, perfectly styled hair, and controlled smile are too buttoned-up for my flair, but I won't judge.
He exudes stability… and solid dad potential.
As do his friends who appear to be in on this with him.
But is he, or are they, right for me?
Gibberish tumbles from the auctioneer's mouth, and a new bidder number joins the fun.
I scan the room to see who was holding out. In the back of the room, the poop scooper… or maybe I should call him the reindeer wrangler is holding up a bidder's paddle.
Broad shoulders fill out his flannel shirt. His stoic expression serves as a reminder of how annoyed he looked when I messed up the display. Why is he bidding on me?
Yes, I thought we shared something, but that was heavily impacted by how my body reacted to his strong hands circling my waist and the way his rugged jawline made me swoon.
And the reins… the brief moment when I swore he rubbed his thumb over the inside of my wrist as if he was having thoughts of binding me.
But how can an employee at a reindeer farm come up with the money he's bidding?
The prim-and-proper bidder fails to raise his paddle when the reindeer wrangler takes it to one and a half million.
The auctioneer tests the room, inviting bidders who'd dropped out to rejoin.
It finally hits me… I'm getting bid on. Someone will win me tonight. My dream is coming true.
My gaze lingers on the table full of dad potential. They don't spark a fire in my heart the way he does. Shifting my attention to the reindeer guy, I realize this was meant to be. We randomly cross paths and he ends up at the auction.
Fate stepped in to make sure I got the guy who can give me what I came here for tonight—an orgasm I'll never forget.
"Sold to the gentleman in the back for one point five million!"
Thunderous applause. My knees wobble. I'm escorted off stage. My heart pounds.
I'm taken to the payment room where I breathe in his woodsy scent. "We meet again."
The muscles in his neck flex. "Because you're mine."
I arch a brow. "You knew I'd be here?"
"Overheard you and Molly at the ranch. Nearly choked when I heard you say you were in the auction."
I remember all too clearly. I remembered everything about him.
The attendant who ushered me to him asks, "Do you accept his win?"
Why the hell wouldn't I? Then my libido relaxes and I recall that we can turn down a winner. The women have agency in this. "Yes, thank you."
The break in my thought pattern is enough to remind me of other things, like my kid. When the attendant walks away, I say, "Look, my life is up in the air right now. I have to get home tonight… you know, the kid thing. So can we do this?"
It sounds terrible when I put it that way, but I'm one phone call away from my night being cut short. Do all moms experience this level of panic and uncertainty?
"You really know how to set the mood." His laugh rumbles between us but his smile is almost nonexistent.
I think he's making a joke. I like this playful side of him. "You're the one who broke Christmas Cherry Auction history and didn't come with a group of friends."